Switch-operating mechanism.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

T. E. BUTTON. SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 0011,1904

4 8HEETBSHEI1T 1 Fiq] i r X m The doPeE-"i. utter-1.

PATBNTBD AUG. 28, 1906.

T. E. BUTTON. SWITCH OPERATING MBGHANISM.

APYLIGATIOH FILED 001. 1,1904.

4 B'BEBT8BHEET 3.

\NJENT OR: ThGOdOPGELBLlttOFP PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

'1'. E. BUTTON. SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION IIDED'OOT. 1, 1904- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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"switch may always UNITED STATES PATENT OFF ICE.

THEODORE .F. BUTTON, ()F SCHENEC"ADY. NEW YORK, .kSSltiNUli 'ili GENERALEL )(J'lItlC COMPANY, A CORBORA'IIUN OF NEW "i'tlhli.

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHAJISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28. 1906.

Application filed October 1. 1904. Serial No. 226,72 7.

To all HI/L07)? it may concern:

Be it known that I, 'Innononn E. BUTTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-OperatingMechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric switches, such as are employed inhandling large currents at high potential, in which themovemcnts oi theswitch are controlled through the agency of a simple controlling-switchIocaicd in an auxiliary low-potential circuit and usually at a pointdistant from the main switch in order to insure saiety to the operator.It has been proposed heretofore to construct switches of this type sothat the throwing of the control]ing-switch to operate the main switchwill start the power-so pl means, usually an electric or air. motor,which will then apply its power directly to the movement of theswitcheither solelyor sometimes with the assistant-cot spring mechanismpreviously energized.

()ne object of my invention is to provide a switch which will beimlcpendentin o eration of the direct action of the motor, wiiich can beclosed or o )ened by the release of stored energy, and which will stillbe automatic in operation. I accomplish this by providill operatingmechanism which is so constructeil that it may be energized by the motorand so maintained until tripped by the controlling means to throw thesnitch and which will then automatically cut in the motor for a prvdetermiucd period to again store up energy for a subsequent switchoperation. In this connection I also make the storing ca Jacity of themechanism such that the switch may be operated a plurality of times foreach single operation of the motor, and I so arran e the1notor-controlling mechanism that tie motor will be cut in only when theswitch is open, the advantage of this being that the be opened by thepower stored in the operating mechanism, even though the motorbedisablcd.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for automaticallyrendering the tripping means by which the switch-operating mechanism isset in motion ino erative during the operation of the motor, tliuspreventing inadvertent tripping oi' the mechanism before the powernecessary to operate the switch properly is stored.

Another object of my invention is in provide novel means for stoppingthe movable switch-contacts in their extreme open and closed positions.This is accomplished by providing means for silt ping the crank by whichmotion is trai sgiizlts d to the movable switch member alwaysafin almad-renter.

Other objects of my invci'iiirn i will he npparent from the followingdetailed desrrip tion taken in connection with the C((HHIHlr nyingdrawings, and the diil'ereut parts, im provements, and combinationswhich l reard as my invention will he speriiiraily sci orth in theappended claims.

In said accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a switch andits operating mechanism constructed in accorihince with my invention.Fig. 2 is a plan view of the operating mechanism for said switch. Figs.3 and 4 are side elevations oi said mechanism, the former showing themotor-rontrolling switch and the latter the stop and tripping mechanism.Figs. 5, 6, and T are detailed views of the cam for operating themotorcontrolling switch and its cooperating parts. Fig. 8 is a viewillustrating the parts shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 assembled and in theposition which the i would occupy when the main switch is e osed. Fig. iis a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the parts in the. posi tion whichthey occupy when the switch is first opened and the motor is first cutin, and Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating principally the nuytor-circuitand the coiitrol-cireuits. In Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, .I have showncertain modifications of the construction illustr'atcd in the precedingfigures by which I am enabled to dispense with one of the trippingcoils.Of these figures, Fig. 11 is a view simi lar to Fig. 4. Fig. 12 is aplan view. Fig. 13 is a die ramsimilar to Fig. 10. Fig. 14 is a seotionaview taken on the line 1'4 14 of Fig. 12, and Fig. 15 is a detailubvicwoi the end of the spring-case and adjacent parts. i

Throu hout these several views like characters reIer to like parts.

In the present application my invention is shown in connection with theswitch A of the type shown in Patent No. 714,436, granted November 25,1902, to Badcau. 'lhis switch has a reciproeatory member 10. whichderives its movement from a rock-shaft H,

fir -ugh the agency of as suitable system of limits and l vers 12.Motion is transmitted. the roclcshaft 11 by the,connecting-rod l? whichis connected at its up er end to the.

drive the shaft is obtained through a coiled spring 17, wound about theshaft and secured at one end to the shaft and at the other to thecylindrical case 18, which is mounted so as to rotate lrel ly upon. theshaft. At one end of the case 18 is an arm 19, which is rigidly securedto the shaft and by engagement with steps 28 prevents the rotation ofthe shaft While the sprin is being Wound. The power for winding t- 1espring may be ob trained from any suitable source, such as the electricmotor 21, mounted upon the base 16. Through suitable worm gcaring 2.2and spurgearing 23 the ewe! of the motor is transmit ted tothesprmg-case 18, and whenever the mot r is supplied with current thecase 1 8 is rotated, so as to wind the coiled spring 17, and thereb 1store up energy in the mechanism, so that w on the obstructixw-stop isremoved from the path of the arm 19 the shaft will befrce to rotate. Thestops 20 consist, essentially, 0t upwardly-extendmg links 24 24, ivotedat their lower ends to the base 16 an provided 3 with rrillers 25 attheir up er ends and adapted to extend into the pats of rotation of thearm 19, the end of the arm 19 hearing against the rollers 25. Togglesmade 11 J of links 26 and??? connect the upper ends 0 the links 24 tofixed lugs 28 on the frame 16, and springs 28!" tend to hold the togglesin the osition shown. These toggles serve to hold t ie etc 5 30 inengaging position and are adapted to e tri ped 3/ means of solenoids ortri pingcoiis 29, located below the toggle an suitably secured to theframe 16. These mag nets 29 are provided with cores 3U,which are drawn uward when the solenoid is energized wit sufiicient force to trip thetoggle, and thereby remove the stops;

In order to automatically cut in the motor 21 when the spring 17 is rundown, the motor- .controllin switehC is provided. This switch consists 0the arm 31, having contacts 32 adapted to bridge fixed contacts 33 33when in one position and fixed contacthBd: 34 giihen in another. Thesecontacts 1 are *fii i it'bbly mounted upon and insulated from the frame16. The contacts 33 33 are included in circuit with the solenoids 29 andthe contacts 34 34 in circuit with the motor 21 as clearly illustratedin Fig. 10. As shown 111 that figare, one of the terminals 33 isconnected to a suitable supply-main 35 and the other contact 33 isconnected by Way of two branches 36 37, extending through the solenoids29 in iarallel to the fixed terminals 38 39, respectively, of a simpleswitch 40, Whose movable i'nen'iher is directly connected to the othersupply-lead 36. From this it will be seen that when the switclrarm 31.is in the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 10 a circuit may becompleted through either solenoid by simply throwing thecontrolling-switch 40 to the proper position. Obviously thiscontrolling-switch may be located at any desired point. It wil be clearfrom the preceding description that if the arm 19 is in con-- tact, sawith the stop 20 at the left in Fig. 4, the t rowin of thecontrolling-switch 40, so as to close t 10 circuit through the solenoid29 at the ri htin said ure, will have no cfl'ect upon t 1e rotationo theshaft 15, and consequently no eilect upon the operation of the switch.However, if the controllingswitch 40 is thrown in the opposite directionthe solenoid at the left will be energized and its stop will be drawnout of the Way, so that the shaft 15 will be free to make chalfrevolution---that is, free to rotate until the arm 19 brought upagainst the under side of the sto 20 at the right, as indicated by thedotte lines in Fig. 4. Thusdt is apparout that each position of theswitch 40 always corresponds to a definite position of the main switchA, and the position of the latter may be known by the position of theformer. It is ap arent that if the spring 17 were Wound up by and theabove manipulation of the controlling-switch 40 would have the desiredeffect of properly throwing the switch A; but in order to make use ofthe motor 21 for this purpose the motor-controlling switch 0 is emloycd. This switch is operated upon eaci complete rotation of the shaft15 to close the circuit betweeii the contacts 34 34, and thereby throughthe motor 21, as will be apHarent upon an inspection of Fig. 10. 1 It withen be dirccth connected between the supply-mains 35 and 36. Themovable 1nem-' ber 31 of the switch C is pivoted at the oint 41 to theframe 16 and is normally hel by a spring 42, with its end 43 in contactwith a cam 44, loosely mdunted on a sleeve 45 of the spring-case 18.

. The cam 44 is provided with projecting lugs 46 46, (shown y the dottedlines in Fig. 6,) which cooperate with similar lugs 47 47 on the face ofan engaging member 48, which is rigidly secured to the spring-case 18'.These lugs 46 and 47 are so located that the cam 44 has considerable laywith reference to the member 48. On t e 0p ositc side of the cam 44 fromthe member 48 is a member 49, which is keyed to the shaft 15 andprovided with a lug 50 which is adapted to enga e a coopersting lug 51on theouter face 0 the cam to transmit motion from the shaft 15 to thecam. The cam 44 is rovided with a depres sion 52, into which t e and 43of the switch 5 illustrated in Fig. 9,

i inF 20 eighty degrees from its lied to full to bring said in positionillustrated in Fig. 3. The purposcoi the incmbcr4i) on the shaft is torotate the cam into the posit ion so as to close the |notorautomaticallystart thi- 17, and the purpose spring-case IR is to member 31 is adamember 31 into i circuit, and thereby motor to wind the sprin of themember 46 on the bring the cam 44 into the i 8,-so as to break themotor-circuit, and there hy stop-the winding of the spring and torestore the circuit through the tripping-so-- lenoids 29 29. In orderthat this may be more full understood, if it be assumed that the switc Ais 0 on and the spring is wound, then the parts Wlll oceupy the positionshown in Fig. 8, except thatthe'meinber 4!) would lie in a ositi on'tobring the lug 50 directly bcneath t e shaft l5-that is, one hundred andpresent position. ll then the operating mechanism is tripped for thepurpose of closing the switch A, the shaft 15 will make ahalf-revolution clockwise, which will bring the parts into the positionillustrated in Fig. 8. if the operating nieehanism is again tripped, thesemirotation of the shaft will bring the lug 50 into engagement with thehi I 51 on the cam 44 and move the cam into the position illustrated inFig. 9,

6 thereby throwing upward the end 43 of the iswitch member 3 breakingthe circuit at the terminals'33 335 and closing it between the terminals34 34, thus starting the motor. .As l the motor drives thes ring ease 18it will carry the "lugs 47 47 in a c ockwise direction, con sidering theparts as illustrated in Fig. 8, into engagement with the cooperatinglugs 46 46 on "the cam 44 and continue to rotate the cam until the end43 drops into the depression 52,

thus breaking the motorcircuit and restor ing the controHing-circuit.Although not essential to the operation, I provide a spring 53, which iscoiled about the cam 44 and'secured at one end to said cam and at theother to the member 48, which is mounted on the spring-case for thepurpose of bringing the cooperating lugs 46 and 47 into engagement whenunrestrained by the operation of the mechanism.

Referrim now particularly to the modiiicd structure iilustrated in Figs.11 to 14, inclu sive, it will be seen that the shaft 15 is provided withtwo arms .19 H), which coo icratc with a single stop 20 to permit thedesired half-revolution of the shalt necessary to give the properniovcn'ient to the movable element of the switch A. The construction ofthe tripping and stop mechanism is identical with that, shown in. theother figures and previously described. However, in this form of theinvention, where one tripping-coil unit is used, it is necessary toprovide some men us for dcinergizing it as soon as the mechanism hasbeen released in order that the stop in may return to its engagingposition soon position illustrated i l l l l i i J l l l l l l l l l l gl l i enough to catch an arm I!) and stop the shell. l5 when il has madeit hall-rcvolution. For this purpose l provide one ol the arms 15) withthe contact 54, which is adapted to electrically connect the iixcdontacts 55 55 when in one position and the contacts 56 56 when in theother. 'lhesc tixed contacts 55 5b are secured to and insulated from thel'rmnc It} nt their lower ends by a bar 57, which is securely bolted tothe under side oi the lhingcd portion of illustrated. The u ipcr ends ofthe contacts 54, 55, and 56 are lrcc and by reason of the resiliency ofthe metal make a satisfactory electrical engagement. 'lhe contacts 55and 56 are provided with bmdmg posts 58 and 59,

respectively. In making the electrical connections for this form of'thcinvention the motor-circuit is com )lcted, as below, by the switch (1engaging tie contacts 34 34, but the circuits for the tripping-coil 29are orrangcd somewhat. dillercntly than illustrated in Fig: it).

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 13, the tenni no] 38 ofcontrolling-switch 40 is connected to one of the contacts 55, and theother contact 55 is connected directly to the brunch 6U, leading fromone of the contacts 33 to the tripping-coil 29. The other terminal 3!)ol the controlling-switch is connected to one of the connicts 56, andthe other contact so is connected by the wire (51 to one of the contacts33. With this arrangement of circuits it will be seen that two branchesextend. from the controlling-switeh 40 to the tripping-coil 29. ()ne ofthese extends through the contacts 5. F5 and the other through thecontacts 56 56 and contacts 33 33. These connections are so arrangedthat in order to open the main switch A the circuit is completed throughthe contacts 55 55, and to close the switch the circuit is completedthrough the other branch embracing the contacts so so and 33 33. Byhaving the opening cicruit broken ill-0110 instead of two points thelikelihood oi failure in opening the switch due to poor contact isgreatly reduced. If now it. is desired to open the main switch, assumingthat the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 13, thecontrolling-switch 40 is thrown to the left and the controlling-circuitis completed bciwccn the supplyonuins 35 so through the branchincluding' the contacts 55 55. This will then energize the coil 2!) andrelease the shalt 15, which will immediately begin to rotate, andthereby break thccircuil between the contacts 55 .55. 'lhis willdcenergizc tfhecoil 2i! and allow the stop 31) to lull back into itsengaging position in time to catch the arm it) and slop I he rotation ofthe shaft l5. At the ilIHlPl! 1 the coil 3!! is tripped by thismovcincni. o; ihc cl:ntrollingswitch the cam '14, whi h minutes theniotor-conti'olling switch (I and its coi'ip iuting parts, is in theposisaid frame, as clearly .tion illustrated in Fig. 8, and as the shaft15 l at the completion of n Loiilithl'i'i) movement rotates itsimultaneously breaks the con-- trolling-circuit at the contacts 55 andcor ries the lug 50 on the member 49 into engage-- ment. with the h1g5}on the Quit, and therchji' sctuatcs the cum to LllIOW the motoocowtrolling switch C across the terminals 34 34 in the motor-circuit. Themotor being time set in motion continues to rotate until its circuit isbroken through the action of the springease 18 and the cam 44, aspreviously described. In the rotation of the shaft 15 the hrid ingcontact 54 will he carried over to the fixed cont sets 56 56 practicallyat the some time that the motor-circuit is closed; but a movement of thecontrollin switch to the contact 39 will not energize the tripping-coil29, since this branch of the controlling-circuit is broken at thecontacts 33 33. After the spring has been fully wound, however, thecircuit at. the contacts 33 33 is closed, and thereafter {my movement ofthe controllingswitch 40 to the contact 39 will close the (-ir cuitthrough the coil 29 and again trip the mechanism, this time to close themain switch. From the above it will he seen that, as in the otherarrangement of circuits illustrated in Fig. 10, the tripping mechanismcan never be operated while the motor is in operation.

With either form of the switch mechanism illustrated I am enabled toobtain a strong positive switch movement and provide means which preventthe tripping oi the mechanism except when the spring is properly wound.It is also apparent t mt many of the ports and combinations which I haveillustrated in the present forms of niy invention are capable ofimplication in other connections, and i therefore do not wish to helimited to the specific application herein disclosed. it will also heapparent that many alterations and modiiicw tions may be made in thespcvilic structure illustrated without departing from the spirit of myinvention. and 1 therefore aim to cover hy the towns of the appendedclaims all such alterations and modifications.

\Vhnt I claim as new, and (it-sire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is

1. In switehmperating mechanism, the combination of a movable member, amotor, connecting means hctwcon said motor and member whcrehy energysuflicicnt for one or more movements of sold mcinhcr may histored by a.single operation of said motor, and means for mitometicnlly startingfitit'i motor only at the completion of so id movements to store upei-icrgy for suhsoqu nt movements.

2. ln switchniperating mechanism, the combination of n ri iprocntorylmrmhcr, It motor connecting menus between said motor and memhor wherehyenergy may he stored for the operation ol' said nmmlwr. and

means for automatically sterling: said motor i trump: Sing 2 rwi of saidmomhcr to store up micron for suhsc quent movements.

3%. The continuation oi n swit'rh. a motor, romnwtiogr means betweensold motor and till ll UYitlJlfl element oi :seii'l snit h whcrirhyenergy may he non-(l. for the mmieiocnt oi sniii element, and means fornotionalicnlly starting sniii motor at the (-ompletion oi the openingmovement. of swirl switch to store up cnerg r for subsequent movements.

4. The comhinntion of it switch a motor connecting means lltlwttll seiilmotor and the movable clement. oisnid switch wher'd y energy sui'hrientto open and lose said switch may he stored h 2!, single operation ofsold motor, and moons 'l'or entomnticiilly starting said motor only atthe completion of each closing and opening of the switch to store n Jenergy for suhgeqnerlt mo ements.

5. The i-omliiimtion of on electric switch, menus for storing ltll'ig'to o erate seit'l swit h, means for releasing thestored no orgy, andmoons for setting; sni i. storh fr muons in operation only after snidswitch leer: completed its movement ti. The combination of an electricswitch, moons. for storing energy to operate said switch. menus forreleasing the stored en ergy, ttlltl menus for setting said storingmeans in operation end rcndcringithe relensi ing means inoperativeduring the one-ration of said stoi ing means.

7'. ln switchmpernting mechanism, the continuati n oi e llltlVitlllt'member, a. motor, vonnm'tifog nwims lietiuei-ii snial motor ni'izlmcmhcr for storing: one; n van fe l ll} seria motor. nae-ens f rItlvllFll in to operate sold momlwr. and 1::- im; sent! momr moirendering menus inoperative (luring; 1hr sw rl motor.

8. in switch-opcroting comhinritioii oi n ltllji'ttl lt tric motor,connecting! {lit'ullS lwiwoei motor nod nwoihcr For Morin; o plied f'sold motor. 11. con ruin-iron: inn ilwlllmlljvmotilrilcil Ilit'itllc.ior'i'tn i the stored tltll'll t t opelntr htilii mezni and switchingmoons for limiting: nod larotlcin; the coon-ctcircuit eltemntely withthe l!lUl'. H" ('l1l'l!lli it. in switch -opt-rnling mm-luinism, theromhinntion til it nnwnhlo member. an oh 11- l'ric motor courier-tinginctin lwlwcen said motor and UHl'Hiitl' for storing energy sore plied h)snio motor, at control cir nit incln'rl mg oiet-tritnlly-m mitt-ii meansfor releasing! the stored encrgy to perme siiiil noimlier. and it :hin;3menus Hi'ltlllltli in; said oor. net-ting, memo to imiliic and break theCon rrol-rircuit. itlti'ltfthilv with the motor--ciruitv lit The voiiailiittioi" i 2U: imilr r- .i prom ar switch hzemhefi it n for sisrtrleasing? vrliti-n'i of all the shaft against rotation, an electricmospring-actuated crank-shaft for governing its 2 movements, one or morearms rigidly secured l to said shaft, and one or more stops coiiperstingtherewii b, said arms and stops being so located -that said crank willbe sto ped on 1 dead-center to hold said switch mem er in its extremeopen and closed positions.

11. In switch-operating mechanism, the combination of two rotatablemembers, ai s ring for transmitting motion from one to the other, amotor for rotating one member J to energize said spring, a movable stopfor J preventing the rotation of the other member, and motor-controllingmeans operated by the latter member to start said motor and by i theformer member to stop said motor.

12.. In switch-operating mechanism, the combination of a crank-shaft, aspribgi-case rotatably mounted thereon, a spring coiled about said shaftand secured at its opposite ends to said shaft and said case, a motor,geared to said case and adapted to wind up E said spring, a movable stopfor preventing the rotation of said shaft, motorrcontrolling meansoperated by said shaft to start said motor and b said case to stop saidmotor.

13. In switch-operating mechanism, the combination of a crank-shaft, aspring-case l rotatably mounted thereon, a spring coiled about saidshaft and secured at its op osite ends to said shaft and said case, anel ctric motor geared to said case and adapted to wind up said spring,means for permitting an intermittent rotation of said s aft, a switchfor making and breaking the motor-circuit, a cam for operating saidswitch means actuated i by the crank-shaft to move said cam to close Isaid switch, and means actuated by the spring 1 case to move said cam toopen said switch. i

14. In switch-operating mechanism, the combination of anoperating-shaft, spring mechanism for storing up ener to rotate saidshaft, a movable stop adapte o prevent said rotation, an electric motorfor ene': bin said sprin mechanism, and a motor-contro ling switciioperated by said shaft.

15. In switch-operating mechanism, the combination of anoperating-shaft, spring mechanism for storing up energy to rotate saidshaft, a movable stop adapted to hold said spring, a controlcircuitinclu ctrically-actuated means for moving sai sto from its engagingosition, and a contro ling-switch operate by said shaft to close themotor-circuit and open the control-circuit or vice versa to close thecontrol-circuit and open the motor-circuit.

16. The combination of a tripp' -coil, mechanism to be freed thereby,BIILZFGCUIC motor for operating said mechanism, a controlling-switchincluded in circuit with said coil, and means operated by said mechanismJ tor for enesgizmg l e e 1 including said coil and switch andcomprising to make and break said circuit and the motorcircuitalternatel l 17. The combination of a trippin -coil, mechanism to befreed thereby, an e ectric motor for operatin said mechanism, a controlling-switch inc uded in circuit with said coil, means operated bysaid mechanism to make and break said circuit at one point, and means tomake and break said circuit at another point and the motor-circuitalternate] 18. In switch-operating mechanism, t e combination of amovable member, an electric motor, connectin means between said motorand member w ereby energy may be stored by said motor for the o erationof said member, electrically-operate means for releasing said energycomprisin a trippingcoil, a controlling-switch mclu ed in circuit withsaid coil, means operated by said connecting means for making andbreaking said circuit at one point, and me ans operated b saidcbnnecting means to niake and brea said circuit at another point andthemotorcircuit alternately.

19. The combination of a tripping-coil, mechanism to be freed thereby, acontrollingswitch, a circuit including said switch and coil andcomprising two branches leading from saidswitch to said coil, and meansoperated by said mechanism to make and break said branches alternately.

20. In switch-operating mechanism, the combination of a movable member,an electric motor, connectin means between said member and motor w erebyene may be stored by said motor for the o eratlon of said member,electrically-operate means for releasing said energy comprising atrippin coil, a controlling-switch, a control-circult two branchesleading from said switch to s coil, means operated by said connectingmeans to make and break said branches alternately, and means operated bysaid OOHIIBC-tfi ing means to make and break one of said branches andthe motor-circuit alternately.

21. In switch-operating mechanism, the combination of an operatingahaft,spring mechanism for storing up energy to rotate said shaft, an armsecured to said shaft, a movable stop adapted tulie in the path of saidarm to prevent the rotation of the shaft a tripping-coil for movingsaidstop from said path, fixed contacts included iii? bn-cuit with saidcoil, and a bridging contardcarried by said arm and adapted to engagesaid fixed contacts to close the circuit through said coil.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th da of Setember', 1904.

TH JODO E E. BUTTON.

Witnesses:

' BENJAMIN B. HULL,

HELEN ORFORU.

